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Coming-of-age memoir takes readers to fly-over country

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Taylor Brorby loves his home and the land he grew up on, but that love is complicated by intolerance and environmental degradation.

Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe talks with Brorby about the destruction of his homeland in Center, North Dakota, which is the focal point of his coming-of-age memoir, Boys and Oil: growing up gay in a fractured land. Brorby is giving an Aldo Leopold Distinguished Lecture at the University of Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. October 12 in Lang Hall Auditorium.

Later in the hour, Rubén Vázquez recently joined United Way of Central Iowa as their first-ever Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Nebbe chats with Vázquez about how his childhood emigrating from Mexico City to the Twin Cities and decades of experience in social justice and civic engagement have prepared him for this role.

Guests:

  • Taylor Brorby, author and Annie Tanner Clark Fellow in Environmental Humanities and Environmental Justice, University of Utah
  • Rubén Vázquez, Chief DEI Officer, United Way of Central Iowa
Charity Nebbe is IPR's<i> Talk of Iowa</i> host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts <i>Garden Variety</i> and <i>Unsettled</i>. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.